The New York Yankees, known for their historic success with 27 World Series titles, saw their dreams crumble in this year’s championship. Despite a promising start in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they led 5-0 by the fifth inning, things took a dramatic turn. The Dodgers loaded the bases with two outs, bringing Mookie Betts to the plate. A routine grounder to first baseman Anthony Rizzo turned into a disaster for the Yankees, as Rizzo couldn’t handle the ball cleanly and pitcher Gerrit Cole failed to cover first base, allowing Betts to reach safely. This moment opened the floodgates for the Dodgers, who rallied with five runs to tie the game, and eventually scored seven in total, securing the title and leaving Yankees fans devastated.
Fans reacted strongly on social media, holding Rizzo and Cole accountable for the loss. Many blamed Rizzo for the fielding error and Cole for not covering first base, citing a lack of fundamental play. Criticism was particularly intense toward Cole, the team’s highest-paid pitcher with a $324 million contract, with some fans accusing him of laziness on the decisive play. Rizzo shouldered most of the blame in the eyes of some fans, while others criticized Cole for what they saw as an avoidable mistake.
Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ captain, was equally devastated. He had initially given the Yankees a boost with a two-run homer, yet also missed a key catch earlier in the game. Judge, expressing deep disappointment in his post-game remarks, said that this defeat would likely haunt him for life, a sentiment that echoed with fans who had high hopes for this season.
Looking forward, the Yankees face big decisions, including whether they can retain star outfielder Juan Soto, a highly sought-after free agent. Many fans are hoping the Yankees make a strong offer to keep Soto, as they aim to rebuild and prepare for another title run. With their rich history of bouncing back from setbacks, Yankees fans are holding out hope that 2025 will bring redemption.